Furor over air controllers spill into Congress

An uproar over lapses by U.S. air traffic controllers will spill into Congress where critics of organized labor see an unexpected opening to push their agenda into sweeping aviation legislation, according to a report from Reuters, which notes: “Republicans see the furor as a way to force certain proposals into a final version of a $59 billion aviation bill that lawmakers will thrash out when Congress returns in May. These include proposals to privatize more airport towers, consolidate facilities and give FAA management more flexibility in running the sprawling air traffic system. All are part of a larger Republican effort to cut FAA spending by $4 billion.” The report quotes John Mica (R-Fla.), the chairman of the House Transportation Committee: “Sleeping on the job, near misses – those give me more ammunition when I go into negotiations.”